Pep Guardiola and Kevin De Bruyne hail “amazing” Erling Haaland after Southampton brace

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and midfielder Kevin De Bruyne have both hailed Erling Haaland’s return to the side, as the striker scored twice during a 4-1 win over Southampton at St Mary’s.

Manchester City moved within five points of league leaders Arsenal on Saturday evening with a crucial win over relegation-threatened Southampton on the south coast.

Erling Haaland broke the deadlock on the brink of half-time before the Norwegian, Jack Grealish and Julian Alvarez all netted in the second half.

Haaland moved to 30 league goals for the season with an acrobatic over-head kick in 68th minute having headed City in the lead prior to the break.

The 22 year-old missed last weekend’s thrashing of Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium due to a groin injury which forced the forward to withdraw from international duty with Norway.

Haaland has now scored 44 goals for the Blues in all competitions this season and looks set to mark his maiden campaign in England by winning the Premier League golden boot.

Following Saturday’s victory, both Pep Guardiola and Kevin De Bruyne hailed the striker’s goalscoring form.

“The second goal was amazing. It is not easy to pick the ball up in the sky and put it on the grass. His talent is really good. We need him,” said Guardiola.

“The first half was not our best level but he changed the game. As a top scorer we lived two incredible decades with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi but he is on that level.

“He scores a lot of goals. I am very happy with 65 minutes after injury and he helped us again.”

De Bruyne, who became the fastest player to 100 assists with his cross for Haaland’s opening goal, described the 22 year-olds form as “insane.”

 “He scores a lot of goals. It is insane. He is there. If we create chances he is there. It is a good combination.

“He knows what I want to do and I know what he wants to do.”

Manchester City face Bayern Munich in the first-leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday and resume their bid to retain the Premier League title against Leicester City next Saturday.

The Sky Blues’ win over Southampton was City’s eighth straight victory in all competitions and fifth consecutive league win.